Special Session - Cities as playing fields (WUF13).
The thirteenth session of the World Urban Forum (WUF13) takes place in Baku, Azerbaijan, from 17 to 22 May 2026. The theme of WUF13 is: Housing the world: Safe and resilient cities and communities. What if sport became a core driver of inclusive and resilient cities? Cities as Playing Fields reframe sport not as a leisure activity but as an essential urban service that supports adequate housing and healthier, more inclusive, and more resilient cities. Just as cities plan for housing, mobility, and public space, they must also ensure accessible opportunities for movement, recreation, and play. Sport is a powerful accelerator of the Sustainable Development Goals, improving health and wellbeing, strengthening social cohesion, and creating pathways for economic participation and safer communities. This session will bring together city leaders, financing institutions, sport organizations, and community actors to explore how sport can be integrated into urban policy, planning systems, ...